Module 2 explores specific techniques and protocols for ecological restoration, mycoremediation, and phytoremediation. It develops practical field and laboratory skills, emphasizing the importance of multidisciplinary integration to address environmental degradation, considering the future land use of natural areas with varying levels of human impact.
The module aims to provide the key knowledge for the application of protocols aimed at environmental remediation and restoration in different natural and human-altered contexts, in compliance with current regulations.
The module aims to teach key approaches for environmental remediation and restoration using fungal and plants organism in mycoremediation and phytoremediation protocols, depending on the intended use of the area to be remediated or restored. Specific attention will be given to field activities and laboratory practices for the use of fungi and plants in bioaccumulation and ecotoxicity tests. Multidisciplinary skills will be highlighted, enabling students to understand how to coordinate their work with other professionals involved in environmental degradation issues (physicists, chemists, naturalists, engineers).
Upon successful completion of the module, the student will be able to demonstrate:
There are no specific requirements.
The course includes 4 CFU of lectures and 1 CFU of field and laboratory exercises. The lectures are conducted with the aid of PowerPoint presentations that illustrate the concepts and content presented orally by the instructors. These materials are made available on Aulaweb.
The course includes field exercises and on-site laboratory activities aimed at putting into practice the theoretical knowledge provided and discussed during the lectures.
Students with a valid certification of physical or learning disabilities filed with the University who wish to request compensatory tools, dispensatory measures, or other accommodations for lectures, assignments, and exams should speak with both the instructor and Professor Sara Ferrando (sara.ferrando@unige.it), the Department's disability coordinator.
Factors disturbing ecosystems in relation to environmental stress and pressures. Invasive alien species (IAS). Alterations of plant and fungal communities. Fungal and plant recolonization dynamics. Ecological functions and ecosystem services. Regulatory framework for the topics addressed.
Environmental remediation techniques of myco- and phytoremediation.
Phytoremediation: use of tolerant and hyper-tolerant plants in remediation, regulations, approaches, advantages and disadvantages, illustration of case studies (air, water). Field survey, screening, key parameters, advantages and disadvantages, microcosm and mesocosm tests, rhizospheric approach, regulations, integrated remediation systems, illustration of case studies (soil).
Mycoremediation: soils and waters contaminated by metals and hydrocarbons; role of fungi in biogeochemical cycles; monitoring of extreme environments (caves and mines); techniques for selecting tolerant/accumulator fungal strains to be used in mycoremediation protocols; use of native or alien strains. Applications: in vitro, mesocosm, bioreactors.
Ecological restoration/improvement of natural systems: site characterization for proper intervention planning; selection of plant species for restoration; climate, ecology, and edaphic factors. Techniques of bioengineering. Restoration of dune, river, meadow, and wetland habitats. Linear infrastructures and compensation works.
Planning, implementation, and monitoring of ecological restoration actions.
Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) as an element of rehabilitation and renaturalization. Application areas and reference regulations.
Analysis of case studies in remediation and environmental restoration, field activities to understand the investigation methodologies provided in the course, laboratory activities with cultural and analytical methodologies, and use of indices useful for assessing environmental quality through the use of fungal and plant organisms.
All the material presented during the lectures and the recommended and supplementary materials will be available on AulaWeb at the end of each cycle of lectures/laboratory exercises.
For further reading:
Generally, notes taken during lectures, the provided teaching materials, and the recommended textbook are sufficient for exam preparation.
Ricevimento: Every day, by appointment via e-mail: enrica.roccotiello@unige.it, 0103530226
Ricevimento: Agreed directly with the instructor via phone at +39 010 3538240 or through email at mirca.zotti@unige.it.
Please refer to the detailed schedule at the following link: https://easyacademy.unige.it/portalestudenti/.
The timetable for this course is available here: EasyAcademy
The acquisition of the course concepts and the ability to present them correctly are assessed through an oral exam, which typically includes three to four questions covering the entire program and the exercises performed. In addition to knowledge of the topics covered, the ability to correlate between them is also evaluated.
The exam preparation methods are explained in the first introductory lecture, which, like all others, is available on Aul@web.
In addition to the oral exam, on which the final grade is based, written tests may be conducted throughout the year to periodically assess the student's learning.
Regular attendance is strongly recommended and advised, especially for field and laboratory activities.
